Local GOP hosting primary debates this week

The Christian County Republican Party and Young Republicans will host a series of debates for the May primary election this week.

They will be Wednesday through Friday at the downtown Municipal Center and will be streamed on Facebook and YouTube and televised on Spectrum Channel 376.

They kick off Wednesday at 5 with the Republican candidates running for Christian County Clerk—Erica Newby and Melinda Humphries. That’s followed at 5:30 with the sheriff’s race between incumbent Tyler DeArmond and Adam Vanderkolk.

The Republican candidates for mayor—James Knight, Jr. and Vince Farrell—will be on the debate stage at 6:30. The two Democrats running for mayor, Michael Pendleton and Alethea West, were also invited, but organizers say Pendleton has already announced he cannot attend.

The final debate of the night will be 7:30 p.m. Wednesday between District 8 state Representative Walker Thomas and Republican challenger Larry Curling.

Several candidates running for Hopkinsville City Council will be on stage Thursday, including remarks from those who do not have opponents.

The Friday schedule includes several candidates for magistrate and it concludes at 7:15 with the four Republicans running for Christian County judge-executive—Jerry Gilliam, Katie Moyer, Dan Mason and Tommy McGraw.

Entire schedule below:

April 27th

5:00-5:30              County Clerk (Erica Newby, Melinda Humphries)

5:30-6:00              Sheriff (Tyler DeArmond, Adam Vanderkolk)

6:30-7:30              Mayor (JR Knight, Vince Farrell, Alethea West, Michael Pendleton)-Pendleton has told organizers he will not be able to attend.

7:30-8:00              State Representative – District 8 (Walker Thomas, Larry Curling)

April 28th

5:00-5:15              Ward 1 (Natasha Francis)

5:15-5:30              Ward 2 (Bruce Smiley)

5:30-5:45              Ward 3 (Don Marsh)

5:45-6:00              Ward 4 (Chuck Crabtree)

6:00-6:30              Ward 5 (Anna Norris, Amy Craig)-Craig has told organizers she will not be able to attend.

6:30-6:45              Ward 6 (Travis Martin)

6:45-7:15              Ward 7 (Mark Graham, Doug Wilcox)

7:15-7:30              Ward 8 (Robert Meek)

7:30-8:00              Ward 9 (Jamie Lienberger, Ardell Owens)

8:00-8:15              Ward 10 (Steve Keel)

8:15-8:30              Ward 11 (Jason Bell)

8:30-8:45              Ward 12 (Matt Handy)

April 29th

5:00-5:15              District 2 (Josh Turner)

5:15-5:30              District 3 (George Barnett)

5:30-6:00              District 4 (JE Pryor, Darrell Gustafson)

6:00-6:15              District 5 (AJ Rogers)

6:15-6:45              District 6 (Phillip Peterson, James McKnight)

6:45-7:00              District 7 (Russ Guffey)

7:00-7:15              District 8 (John Bruce)

7:15-8:15              Judge Executive (Jerry Gilliam, Katie Moyer, Dan Mason, Tommy McGraw)